Winning a championship is hard. Repeating is another can of worms.

Westlake High’s boys’ cross country team won a Division 2 state title last year, its first in school history. The Warriors begin defense of their title on Saturday during the Fastback Shootout at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Capturing another crown, or even qualifying for the state meet, will be a monumental task.

“We have a long way to go,” senior Mikey Giguere said.

Giguere is the unquestioned leader of this experienced, deep and savvy squad that lost only varsity starter, Rocky Peterson, to graduation.

“We really try to stay motivated,” Giguere said. “We always stay close. Training-wise, we always stay together as a pack. If you’re in a group, you work off each other more.”